Letters | Metro Council, U of L lacrosse, federal shutdown

Poll question

Think about a daily poll question like this: How should the Metro Council change its discretionary spending accounts?

A. No change necessary. B. Tighten the procedures. C. Require vote of Metro Council on each item. D. Abolish them.

TOM LOUDERBACK

Louisville 40205

Misguided attacks

My daughter, Brooke Campbell, is one of the young women interviewed for the recent article about U of L lacrosse coach Kellie Young. Coach Young's advocates have responded by mostly ignoring the facts and suggesting that those who spoke out are disgruntled or couldn't hack Division 1 athletics. The attacks are misguided.

Brooke and Darlene Eipp, whose mother is quoted, were both highly recruited.

Brooke received a full, four-year scholarship. Kelsey Garraty is still a valuable member of the team. Darby Dudley has moved on and plans to attend law school.

It's not surprising players support of Coach Young.

Mike Leach and Mike Rice - both involved in high-profile controversies over the treatment of players - had players publicly support them. It's also not surprising that Coach Young's advocates have tried to make this about the young women as opposed to what happened.

It's a common device politicians and others employ to deflect criticism.

No one has addressed the key facts or allegations.

No one has offered a legitimate explanation for why the coach threw a player off the team at a game and left her in Syracuse, 600 miles from campus.

Even U of L spokesman Kenny Klein apparently found that "troubling."

All of the young women interviewed come from families with sports backgrounds. At least six people in Brooke's immediate family played, or are playing, college sports including Division 1. Darby's grandfather played and coached football at Michigan State. We understand outbursts and other methods coaches use to build discipline and motivate. We're not talking about that here.

Professor F. Clark Power from Notre Dame, an expert in ethics and sports leadership, called the alleged conduct of Coach Young "blatantly unethical."

If Coach Young's advocates want to defend her, I respect that. However, they should stick to the facts and stop trying to smear the players who had the courage to step forward. It's not about them!

PATRICK C. CAMPBELL

Berwyn, Pa. 19312

Working without pay

I want to extend my thanks to all the Army Corps personnel who are keeping the Ohio River Locks operating without pay during the government shutdown.

The only other people I can think of who were or are required to work without pay are slaves and prison inmates.

I guess we have our illustrious senators and representatives to thank for how these personnel are being treated.

JOHN PASQUENZA

Prospect, Ky. 40059

Negotiating tactic?

News item: Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud has told the BBC he is open to "serious talks" with the government, but only if the government agrees in advance to Taliban demands, including the imposition of Sharia (Islamic) law. Where could he have learned that "negotiating" tactic?

MICHAEL GINSBERG

Louisville 40207

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Letters | Metro Council, U of L lacrosse, federal shutdown

Think about a daily poll question like this: How should the Metro Council change its discretionary spending accounts?